The Nigerian Correctional Service has announced that Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Olukemi Ibikunle, has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers. This prestigious award was presented by Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York.
According to a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, the award recognizes Ibikunle’s outstanding contributions to corrections reform, inmate rehabilitation, and the promotion of human rights within custodial environments. The UN Trailblazer Award celebrates women professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to justice and correctional excellence globally.
Ibikunle’s selection followed a rigorous international vetting process that highlighted her professional distinction, integrity, and passion for humanitarian service. Out of five nominees selected globally, two were officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, with Ibikunle emerging as the overall winner for her work with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated Ibikunle on her achievement, describing it as a testament to the professionalism, competence, and global relevance of the service’s officers. Nwakuche reaffirmed the service’s commitment to excellence, gender equity, and global best practices, noting that the award underscores the growing confidence of international institutions in the service’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and correctional development.
Ibikunle’s award is seen as a significant recognition of the Nigerian Correctional Service’s efforts to promote human rights and rehabilitation within the corrections system. The service has been working to implement reforms and improve conditions for inmates, with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The international recognition of Ibikunle’s work is expected to further boost the service’s efforts to promote justice and corrections excellence in Nigeria and globally.